Chinese Style Job Applications

SpicyDuck · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:38

I was looking for a new job last week 'cause I was fired from my previous job unfairly. This is China, and that's just how things are. But, as I witnessed today, all this corruption and badness can also work in my favour.

I went for a job interview today with a Chinese guy who called himself Eric. Eric works on behalf of a few schools here and I was very interested in one of the teaching positions this school had open.

I arrive at Eric's apartment and we have a little chat about China and my teaching methods in general. Now, the thing is, people love my teaching style because I have a very strong voice, but I look very young (and cute, I might add

) so I have no problem relaxing with children, teaching them and keeping the atmosphere fun and friendly.

Eric liked the sound of all of this and called one of the Chinese teachers at my my school, and she also said great things about me

Turns out though, that the position I had applied for 'might' have been taken. I told him that I wanted only this job as it was teaching 14-17 year olds, and I don't want to teach younger children again. Fearing he was going to lose my 'services', as such, he called the school.

30 minutes of arguing and shouting over the phone later, Eric told me;

'Well, Phillip, the school told me they might have made an error in their records and that they will hold off hiring the other teacher so that you can give a 10 minute demonstration class tomorrow'.

'.... just, be interesting, fun and energetic. Get involved.'

So that's that. Tomorrow I will give a demonstration class to a group of 16yr old school kids and, hopefully, the kids and the Chinese staff will be very impressed and happy.

I sure hope so; this job pays double what I was earning and is so much better than my last job. In almost every aspect.

Wish me luck, and if anyone has any topic ideas that can be discussed for 7 minutes or so (after my introduction), then please feel free to add to all my current ideas I have come up with.

The oldest I taught at my old job were 14 years old, and I know these middle-schoolers have more of an 'I'm too cool for school' attitude. Current topic I'm thinking of teaching is Brithish and American Slang Differences. I think they would be very happy to learn about this.

Raymond Lin · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:41

I won't call this corruption unless you've paid him off with some kind of favours

Sounds like it is more a case of who you know and not what you know.

SpicyDuck · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:54

Raymond Lin said:
I won't call this corruption unless you've paid him off with some kind of favours Sounds like it is more a case of who you know and not what you know.

Corruption is everywhere here. I know this guy is basically using up his favours for me, 'cause the other guy was probably South African or something, and the Chinese only like British WHITE or American WHITE. It's scary sometimes how racist they are.

You see plenty of job applications here that say such things as:

Wanted: Female WHITE teacher (US and UK only) no older than 25. Must be pretty. Please reply with photo in email.

Honestly, they always ask for a photo. Kinda like finding a date online, except it's a job.

semi-pro waster · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:56

Sounds very much like guanxi in action there, so now you will owe Eric for his help I'd assume. Good luck with getting the job anyway.

wordy · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:58

Maybe you could do a class on medeivel british history if you know enough, The Battle of Hastings or Elizebethan times?

Just a question, I had a look at your blog, what made you go out to China, and how did you go about it? Nnot thinking about doing it or anything, just curious

Good luck with the job

Raymond Lin · 15 Jan 2007 at 14:58

I know corruption is everywhere, the thing is, they don't see it that way, its practically part of the culture. Its the way things works, with favours, gifts...etc. I know about the racist thing too, my parents are a little like that with african origins (is that PC

). My grandmother dispise the Japanese still. (with good reasons), she was under occupation by them in WWII.

crystaline · 15 Jan 2007 at 15:02

OvertoneBliss said:
You see plenty of job applications here that say such things as:

Wanted: Female WHITE teacher (US and UK only) no older than 25. Must be pretty. Please reply with photo in email.

Honestly, they always ask for a photo. Kinda like finding a date online, except it's a job.

Yeh.. so is the wage insanely good on that, because honestly right now I'm pretty much open

Raymond Lin · 15 Jan 2007 at 15:04

crystaline said:
Yeh.. so is the wage insanely good on that, because honestly right now I'm pretty much open

From that ad, sounds like if you are a looker you are pretty much hired soon you walk through the door !

aardvark · 15 Jan 2007 at 15:21

good luck - i hope you get it.

SpicyDuck · 15 Jan 2007 at 15:29

crystaline said:
Yeh.. so is the wage insanely good on that, because honestly right now I'm pretty much open

If you're seriously interested in coming here, I've spoken to a few other guys who are interested and given them some advice. Drop me an email and I'll reply.

Regarding corruption, yep, it is 'connections'... but, it's corruption haha. So, it all goes hand-in-hand, and it's very much part of the culture. It's what keeps the country moving.

The like a looker, but you need to actually be able to teach. They have corruption and stupid requests, but they're far from stupid!

Gaverick · 15 Jan 2007 at 16:10

Probably because of this corruption that you were fired from the last job

garyh · 15 Jan 2007 at 16:20

It sounds to me like you were fired from your old job, for being an idiot and not keeping a friendly atmosphere within the classroom by refusing to dress up or take part in any festive activities etc…

Teaching isn't just about telling somebody how to do something; it’s a social interaction between the students and a teacher that aids learning. If this wasn't the case, they would simply give them a book and get them to sit on their own in a room.

With quotes within your blog like “Did I come to China to teach English, or to be a ****** clown?” – I’m not surprised you were fired.

helpimcrap · 15 Jan 2007 at 16:21

crystaline said:
Yeh.. so is the wage insanely good on that, because honestly right now I'm pretty much open

TTIUWP.

helpimcrap · 15 Jan 2007 at 16:27

garyh said:
It sounds to me like you were fired from your old job, for being an idiot and not keeping a friendly atmosphere within the classroom by refusing to dress up or take part in any festive activities etc…

Teaching isn't just about telling somebody how to do something; it’s a social interaction between the students and a teacher that aids learning. If this wasn't the case, they would simply give them a book and get them to sit on their own in a room.

With quotes within your blog like “Did I come to China to teach English, or to be a ****** clown?” – I’m not surprised you were fired.

to be fair to him, and i havent heard both sides to it... but he was fired over 2 issues which were voluntary which surely is a little unfair.

this is assuming that hes telling 100% the truth and not knocking off the boss's daughter/wife/maid.

noob · 15 Jan 2007 at 16:49

garyh said:
It sounds to me like you were fired from your old job, for being an idiot and not keeping a friendly atmosphere within the classroom by refusing to dress up or take part in any festive activities etc…

You can keep a friendly atmosphere in the classroom without going to a party.

garyh said:
Teaching isn't just about telling somebody how to do something; it’s a social interaction between the students and a teacher that aids learning. If this wasn't the case, they would simply give them a book and get them to sit on their own in a room.

I think he knows this.

Duff-Man · 15 Jan 2007 at 16:54

Do a 7-minute presentation on the benefits of Taiwanese independence. That should go down well...

daveyj27 · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:47

garyh said:
With quotes within your blog like “Did I come to China to teach English, or to be a ****** clown?”

What's the problem with that quote? The guy is a teacher who wants to teach. :confused:

A.N.Other · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:49

Good luck! It's quite an interesting story, all this (though I'm not sure I'd want to be on the receiving end :eek:

!).

SpicyDuck · 16 Jan 2007 at 03:58

garyh said:
It sounds to me like you were fired from your old job, for being an idiot and not keeping a friendly atmosphere within the classroom by refusing to dress up or take part in any festive activities etc…

Teaching isn't just about telling somebody how to do something; it’s a social interaction between the students and a teacher that aids learning. If this wasn't the case, they would simply give them a book and get them to sit on their own in a room.

With quotes within your blog like “Did I come to China to teach English, or to be a ****** clown?” – I’m not surprised you were fired.

My classes are always fun and my students always enjoy my classes. Maybe I could teach you a thing or two, like manners. Do not make assumptions. I know what teaching is, thank you very much. I've been on the receiving end of language teaching for many years, and now I'm at the other side of the desk, so to speak.

I didn't refuse to dress up or go the party as such. I had other plans which were more appealing to me than spending my only day off (in that particular week) with my students.

As a matter of fact, some Chinese people have started raising concerns that western holidays are celebrated too much in their country just like we in Britain complain that we can't celebrate them exactly how we wish.

So, should I be a part of the problem here, like back home, or be a hypocrite? But then, that was not my reasoning at the time.